Through my teens and even a few years before, I spent part of my summers at an older second cousin's house in New Braunfels. He and his wife were the same age as my parents but they were more like my aunt and uncle.  Each summer he'd let me bring a friend or two and spend a week or so with them exploring the town and having fun.  He lived off of one end of Union Street and each day while I was there, my buddies and I would walk out inner tubes down to the river, plop in, and float the lazy u-shaped Comal River to the other end of Union Street where we'd pull out our tubes and walk back across town to his house.  And we did it day after day, summer after summer.

The lifestyle was magical.

In the evenings, we'd spend time around typical New Braunfels haunts like the old town of Gruene.  Pronounced green, the enclave is a dream for lovers of history and quaint cottage industry.  Lined with bed and breakfasts, small shops that sell everything from fly fishing gear to antiques, and restaurants, Gruene sits atop a hill that overlooks the Guadalupe River.  The river is emerald green in color with cypress trees lining the river and is an iconic Hill Country stream.   It is simply beautiful.

Back up the hill, the centerpiece of town is Gruene Hall - the oldest continually operating dancehall in Texas.   It was built in 1878 and its white lap board siding and flat fronted exterior dates it's inception to early Texas.  The paint on the building's exterior is flaking a bit but that simple adds to its rustic charm.  Gruene Hall is the crown jewel of the old Texas dance halls.

A few weekends ago, I was at Gruene Hall and coincidentally, Dennis Quaid and the Sharks (yes, that Dennis Quaid) were playing a gig.  The place was electric with the band playing their brand of blues and the crowd enthusiastically listening in and dancing on the broad wooden floor.

photo by Russell Graves

At Gruene Hall, original music is the rule and Dennis Quaid isn't the first notable act to play the dance hall.  In the past, iconic Texas acts like George Strait, Willie Nelson, Robert Earl Keene, Lyle Lovett, and others have played the low staged, open raftered venue. The future, it seems, shows no sign of slowing because a quick look at their calendar shows weekend after weekend booked with both local bands and national acts.

Every time I head to New Braunfels, I can’t help but think of the days when I was younger and spent all of those days floating the river and living a carefree lifestyle.  The town holds plenty of great memories for me.  So much so, I’ve had the chance to take some of my students (when I was a teacher) to tour the Guadalupe River and Gruene and my own kids. 

It’s always a new adventure.

Any questions or comments?  Contact Russell at russell@russellgraves.com or visit his website at www.russellgraves.com